Java Audit in the Enterprise Environment: What It Really Means and Why It Pays to Be Clear
Why audit Java at all?
Java is one of the most widely used programming languages in the corporate world – it is used in information systems, integration platforms and common desktop applications. However, many companies are unaware that after 2019, there was a fundamental change in Oracle’s licensing policy, which affected the use of Java SE 8 and later versions in a commercial environment. Since update 8u211 (April 2019), the free tool has become a product subject to a commercial license, and if an organization continues to use Java without a valid subscription, it is exposed to licensing risk and potential financial penalties.
That is why Java licensing audits are increasingly being conducted, aiming to give organizations confidence that they are using Java in accordance with licensing rules while at the same time ensuring that their environment remains secure and sustainable.
How the audit is carried out
The audit is usually divided into two areas – servers and workstations. Specialized tools are deployed within the project that:
- automatically detect all Java Runtime Environment (JRE) and Java Development Kit (JDK) installations,
- identify their versions, vendors and locations,
- analyze whether specific installations fall under the Oracle licensing model or use open-source builds (e.g. Azul Zulu, Eclipse Temurin, Amazon Corretto),
- they evaluate the security risks of outdated versions and inactive installations.
The collected data is then anonymized, processed, and evaluated by licensing specialists. The result is a comprehensive overview of the status of the entire Java environment, complete with recommendations on how to proceed.
The most common findings in practice
- Older Oracle Java builds (e.g. 8u351, 8u441) are also found on servers and laptops where they are no longer needed, but still require a paid license.
- A mixed environment (e.g. Oracle JDK + OpenJDK) increases management complexity and the risk of licensing errors.
- Some applications still require specific versions of Java that are no longer supported and pose a security threat.
- In many cases, commercial versions can be replaced with open-source distributions that are fully compatible and royalty-free.
Benefits of auditing for the organization
- License certainty – the organization gains a clear view of which installations require commercial licenses.
- Security – auditing helps identify vulnerable or outdated versions.
- Cost optimization – companies often find that they can convert part of their environment to OpenJDK and save up to 40-50% per year.
- Compliance and audit readiness – in the event of a possible Oracle License Audit, the company has clear documents and can prove the legal status.
Strategic decision after audit
After completing the analysis, the key phase follows – deciding on the next direction:
- continue with Oracle Java Subscription and maintain full support,
- or migrate to open-source alternatives that provide long-term support and compatibility (e.g. Azul Zulu, Eclipse Temurin, Amazon Corretto).
The decision depends on the needs of a particular organization, budget, and criticality of the systems. A hybrid model is often chosen, where some systems remain on Oracle Java and others migrate to OpenJDK.
Recommendations from practice
- Establish a central record of all Java installations (version, location, purpose).
- Set up regular audits at least once a quarter.
- Remove unused or outdated installations.
- Implement automated monitoring tools (e.g. Java Management Service, MDM policies).
- Plan your subscription renewal or migration well in advance – especially before your existing license periods expire.
Summary
A Java license audit is not just a check – it is a strategic step to protect your IT environment, save money and increase security. At a time when most enterprise applications still rely on Java, having clarity on licenses is as important as backups or patch management.
A company that regularly conducts a Java audit and sets its licensing policy correctly will not only avoid fines, but will also gain long-term stability and visibility into one of the most important technological layers of its IT ecosystem.